Ed Fiori Dies at age 72

A Steady Force on the PGA Tour 🌟 Early Life & Rise to the PGA Born in 1953 in Lynwood, California, Edward Ray Fiori grew up sneaking onto a nine-hole golf course behind his home—an early spark for his golfing passion . After honing his skills at the University of Houston, he turned professional in 1977 and joined the PGA Tour full-time in 1978 . Four PGA Tour Victories 1. 1979 Southern Open – His maiden title came via playoff over Tom Weiskopf. 2. 1981 Western Open – A commanding four-stroke victory over Jim Colbert and others. 3. 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic – Won another playoff, this time toppling Tom Kite . 4. 1996 Quad City Classic – At age 43, Fiori ended a 14-year win drought by outlasting Tiger Woods with a two-stroke win, earning the nickname “Tiger killer” . This remains one of only four times Woods relinquished a 54‑hole lead until 2009. Resilience & Late Career Fiori’s fourth win came under a medical extension, highlighting his grit in the face of challenges . He later competed on the Champions Tour, securing a playoff win at the 2004 MasterCard Classic shortly after recovering from a heart scare at high altitude . Playing Style & Strengths Known as “The Grip” for his firm hold on the club, Fiori was stocky in build but deadly precise, especially in short-game and pressure scenarios . He consistently ranked among the top ten in key stats like scoring average, driving accuracy, and greens hit during his prime . Major Championship Record Masters: Tied for 6th (1980) U.S. Open: Best finish T35 (1978) PGA Championship: T9 (1989) Fiori never competed at The Open Championship . Personal Challenges & Legacy Battling weight and spinal issues, Fiori underwent spinal fusion surgery and eventually limited his playing post-2005 . Yet he remained deeply respected in the golf community, his 1996 triumph a testament to his resilience and competitive spirit. #GolfLife #PGA #TPCDeereRun #JohnDeereClassic